Transportation Cards

T-money is a transportation card as well as a device used to pay for taxi fares and, in some cases, transactions at convenience stores. The T-money function is often added onto various payment (credit/debit) and discount travel cards. T-money can be used on public buses and subways in several different metropolitan cities and locations including Seoul-si, Gyeonggi-do, Daejeon-si, Incheon-si, Daegu-si and Busan-si. When using T-money, the public transportation fare is 100 won cheaper than paying with cash, and, unlike cash fares, T-money can be used when transferring from one bus to another, one subway line to another, or from bus to subway or vice versa (within a transfer time limit) at no extra charge. Also, T-money does away with the hassle of purchasing single journey subway tickets, and when you are finished using your T-money card, the remaining balance can be refunded after a 500 won service charge.

How to use T-money

Bus

1. Upon boarding the bus, place a T-money card on the sensor bearing the T-money logo located at the front of the bus until it beeps. The sensor will display the amount charged on the top and the remaining balance at the bottom.
2. Before getting off the bus, place the T-money card on the sensor located at the back of the bus until it beeps. It will display any additional charges, which are levied by distance traveled, and can now be used for free transfers within a specific time limit.

Subway

1. Place a T-money card on the sensor bearing the T-money logo located on top of each of the subway turnstiles until it beeps. The sensor will display the amount charged on the top and the remaining balance at the bottom. If you are transferring, the amount charge may appear as "0" (zero).
2. Place the T-money card on the sensor until it beeps when exiting through the turnstiles. It will display any additional charges, which are levied by distance traveled, and can now be used for free transfers within a specific time limit.

Transfer Discounts!

Transfer discounts are applied on bus/subway fares only when using T-money. For instance, when transferring while traveling within a 10㎞ distance, if you use T-money, then transferring is free. This is a much better deal than using cash, as you would have to pay the basic fare each time you transfer. You can transfer a maximum of four times.

• Tip.

1) If you don't tap your card on the sensors as you get off the bus or exit the subway, you will be charged double the next time you use public transportation. You cannot benefit from transfer discounts, either. So, make sure to tap your card at all times when getting off the bus or exiting the subway!

2) You can transfers for free up to four times. Transfers are allowed inside the subway system, so when you transfer from one subway line to another (after tapping your card), transfer discounts do not apply. For buses, you can get free transfers from one type of bus to another (blue bus, green bus, green village bus, yellow bus, red bus, etc.). For example, Bus + subway or blue bus + green bus = free transfer / Subway + subway = no free transfers allowed (free transfers apply on some subway lines like Subway line 9 where transfer gates are situated outside).

3) These days, many taxis accept payments via the T-money card. In general, the payment terminal is affixed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Inform the taxi driver that you want to pay with a T-money card and tap your card on the terminal and your taxi fare will be automatically paid from your T-money card's balance. However, if the fare is more than your T-money balance, then your remaining T-money balance will be deducted from the taxi fare and you will have to pay the rest via different means.

Note!

1) The discount on T-money Cards for children or teenagers is applicable for 10 days after the first use. However, residents with an alien registration number can register the T-Money Cards on the T-Money Homepage to continuously receive the child or teenager discounts.

2) If adults use the T-money Cards for children or teenagers fraudulently, they may face a fine 30x the standard fee.

Seoul Transportation Fare Information / Transportation Card vs. Cash

Transportation

Age group

T-money

Cash

Note

Subway

Adults

1,050 won

1,150 won

Base fare (first 10㎞): 1,050 won
10-40㎞: 100 won per 5㎞
+40㎞: 100 won per 10㎞

Youth

720 won

1,150 won

Children

450 won

500 won

Blue Bus / Green Bus (4-digit number)

Adults

1,050 won

1,150 won

Up to three children (age 6 and under) accompanied by an adult may ride the bus for free

Recharging T-money Cards

The T-money card is rechargeable in amounts ranging from 1,000 won to 90,000 won at any of the T-money vendors or Ticket Vending and Card Reload Devices inside most subway stations.

1. Select your preferred language.

2. Touch the "T-money Card" box on the right side of the screen.

3. Place your T-money card on the recharging pad.

4. Select the amount of money you wish to recharge.

5. Pay the total recharge amount. The device takes 1,000/5,000/10,000
won bills and 50/100/500 won coins.

6. Wait briefly while the device recharges your T-money card. Once the card is recharged, confirm its balance.

How to receive a refund

For a remaining T-money balance of 20,000 won or less, you may receive a refund following a 500 won service fee at a partner convenience store (GS 25, CU, Mini Stop, Buy The Way, 7-Eleven) bearing the T-money logo. If the remaining balance exceeds 20,000 won, you may receive a refund at the T-money Headquarters. T-money Cards are not returnable. For more information, please visit the official T-money website and click "Foreigner Guide."

Metropolitan Pass or M-Pass is a transportation card that offers 20 rides a day for the duration of the pass in the Seoul Metropolitan City area, including Seoul Subway Lines 1-9, Incheon Subway, AREX's (Incheon Airport Railroad Express) standard train (i.e. not the express train), metropolitan trains (except the Sinbundang Line), and Seoul Buses (except red buses).

M-Passes come in five different types: 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 5-day and 7-day passes. They are valid for the designated time period, and expire at midnight on the last day of validity. (e.g. 3-day M-Pass Activation: January 1, 2014 / Expiration: 11:59 p.m., January 3, 2014)

As M-Pass has the T-money function, it can be used on buses, taxis, and at select convenience stores as long as there is a usable T-money balance. Once you have used all of the M-pass' allotted subway rides, it can still be used as a T-money card.

Card Types

Prices

1-day pass

10,000 won

2-day pass

18,000 won

3-day pass

25,500 won

5-day pass

42,500 won

7-day pass

59,500 won

M-Pass Sales Locations

M-Passes are available for purchase at Seoul Travel Information Centers (I-Tour Seoul Centers) in the Incheon International Airport Passenger Terminal. When buying an M-Pass, you must pay a refundable deposit of 4,500 won, and a non-refundable service charge of 500 won. Also, you will receive discount admission coupons to popular tourist attractions. The deposit as well as any remaining T-money balance on the M-Pass is refunded when you return it to any of the I-Tour Seoul Centers.

Seoul City Pass Plus is a transportation card with the T-money function and additional tourist benefits that can be used in and around Seoul. The card can be used for transactions at four royal palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung), Jongmyo Shrine, as well as many convenience stores. The card also offers 5% off rides on the Seoul City Tour Bus, (http://www.seoulcitybus.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)) and discounts at dozens of tourist sites and shops including restaurants, exhibitions, opticians, and beauty salons. You can receive the remaining balance and a refund for the purchase fee for the Seoul City Pass Plus card at the designated sales locations following a 500 won service fee.